They set the example. They lead by their actions, and often by their words. They are an ear to listen when one is needed. A voice to speak out when the moment is right.
They are dependable, on and off the field. They are the ones others watch in practice, in games and even in the locker room.
They are the ones, who quite simply, set the standard.
And that is why they were named the Steelers 2021 team captains.
Steelers' players voted on Monday for the captains and this year's team captains are Ben Roethlisberger on offense, Cameron Heyward on defense and Derek Watt on special teams.
Roethlisberger, who is in his 18th season, has been the team's offensive captain 13 times in his career, including 11consecutive seasons.
Heyward, who is in his 11th season, is a defensive captain for the seventh consecutive year.
This is the first time Watt has been voted the special teams captain, after joining the Steelers in 2020 as an unrestricted free agent and immediately making an impact on the unit.
Take a look at photos of the Steelers 2021 team captains
The following are the Steelers' team captains who have been selected during head coach Mike Tomlin's tenure (since 2007):
YEAR | OFFENSE | DEFENSE | SPECIAL TEAMS |
---|---|---|---|
2007 | Hines Ward, WR | James Farrior, LB | James Harrison, LB |
Clint Kriewaldt, LB | |||
2008 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | James Farrior, LB | Jeff Reed, K |
Hines Ward, WR | |||
2009 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | James Farrior, LB | Jeff Reed, K |
Hines Ward, WR | James Harrison, LB | Keyaron Fox, LB | |
2010 | Heath Miller, TE | James Farrior, LB | Keyaron Fox, LB |
Hines Ward, WR | |||
2011 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | James Farrior, LB | Armaz Battle, WR |
Hines Ward, WR | |||
2012 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | Brett Keisel, DE | |
2013 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | Ryan Clark, S | |
Maurkice Pouncey, C | Brett Keisel, DE | ||
2014 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | Troy Polamalu, S | Robert Golden, S |
Shaun Suisham, K | |||
2015 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | William Gay, CB | Robert Golden, S |
Cam Heyward, DE | |||
2016 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | William Gay, S | Robert Golden, S |
Cam Heyward, DE | |||
2017 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | Cam Heyward, DE | |
2018 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | Cam Heyward, DE | Chris Boswell, K |
Maurkice Pouncey, C | |||
2019 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | Cam Heyward, DE | Roosevelt Nix, FB |
Maurkice Pouncey, C | |||
2020 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | Cam Heyward, DE | Jordan Dangerfield, S |
Maurkice Pouncey, C | T.J. Watt, LB | ||
2021 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | Cam Heyward, DE | Derek Watt, FB |
Take a look at photos of the Steelers team captains under head coach Mike Tomlin